The demand to bargain comes after the university announces potential program cuts and layoffs
EDWARDSVILLE, IL – The Illinois Education Association issued a demand to bargain to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIU-E) administration after the university announced potential cuts to academic programs and layoffs due to a structural budget deficit. The demand to bargain was issued on behalf of all tenured faculty, non-tenured faculty, professional and civil service staff at SIU-E.
The following is attributable to IEA spokesperson Bridget Shanahan:
“We strongly believe that the work and intellect of faculty and staff are cornerstones of the strong public university education our students deserve. The proposed campus reorganization and academic prioritization are mandatory subjects of bargaining and could result in the loss of student services and jobs. We look forward to discussing these issues at the bargaining table, including hearing from the administration regarding their concerns about the overall financial health and welfare of the institution. In this time of political and economic turmoil, it is important to remember that public universities and colleges across the state are significant engines for economic and cultural growth and offer opportunities to students that would otherwise be unavailable. Those opportunities are only possible because of the dedicated people who spend their lives working in higher education. We look forward to a robust discussion about how to best set the institution up for success in the future while still supporting and acknowledging that our higher education institutions are nothing without the outstanding educators who support our students.”
IEA is the SIU-E Faculty Association (SIU FA), SIU-E Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association (NTTFA), SIU-E Technical Staff Association (SIU-E TSA) and SIU-E Professional Staff Association (PSA). SIUE FA has negotiations with the university.
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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.
